New Delhi: Senior BJP leaders, including party president Nitin Gadkari, L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, on Thursday kept away from the Bharat Bandh called by the party to protest against petrol price hike but the party claimed it was a "huge and unprecedented success". Gadkari, who was here, issued a statement claiming the bandh was a big success and thanked the people for their spontaneous and overwhelming response to the successful shutdown.

"The massive turn out of all segments of the society braving severe heat and active participation of NDA and other non-Congress parties made it a coalition of protest across the country," Gadkari said. He insisted the message sent across to Congress by this bandh is "if you don't roll back the hike, we will roll you back".Party leaders and spokespersons were silent on the absence of the top brass from the bandh on Thursday. BJP also announced another country-wide agitation against Congress-led UPA government, starting in June.

"BJP is finalizing its further course of action- A Jan Sangarsh Abhiyan - details of which will be announced soon", Gadkari said.

Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said if the government has any senstivity it should roll back the prices.

Citing figures, he said the price of oil has fallen internationally in comparison to last year. He said the situation is "paradoxical" as when international prices go up, government revenue also goes up as duties are added ad valorem.

"Government should remember that people do not have the patience to wait for five years to throw it out... If this government is paralysed, it should relinquish office.